School math champions visit Strawberry Grange development

The purpose of the visit was to learn about the housebuilding process and how they can apply real-life skills to their maths learning.

Countryside Homes, part of the Vistry Group, is responsible for the new homes being built off Bower Lane.

Vistry’s Alex Moss and Emma Mackay introduced the children to the housebuilding process, involved them in a practical health and safety challenge, gave them a tour of the development, and arranged a bricklaying demonstration and workshop with help from S.A Webber bricklayers.

(Image: Roy Riley) The head of maths at St John and St Francis Church School, Laura Rendell, said: "We’ve just appointed maths champions at school – two pupils from each year group – and wanted to find a fun way to incorporate maths into their learning.

"Construction has been a great choice as it was important to us that it was hands-on and practical, so it’s more memorable for the children than learning in a classroom setting.

"We had a brilliant site visit, and the children loved learning how the homes were built and just how much maths is required in housebuilding, especially in the construction, commercial, technical and sales elements.

"Alex and Emma have provided us with some statistics so we can work on different construction-focused challenges at school.

"It’s exciting to see our plans taking shape and to see the children so inspired and eager to learn."

(Image: Roy Riley) Alex Moss, the assistant site manager, added: "It was fantastic to talk to the children about housebuilding.

"We’re building just up the road from their school, so the pupils were very engaged and asked lots of interesting questions.

"It always amazes me just how much maths is used on site, so it was a great idea to enhance their learning in a practical setting – I’d love to have done that at school."

Once completed, Strawberry Grange will feature 260 new homes, two play parks, public open spaces, and attenuation basins.